Southern Districts gear up with powerful win over Buffaloes

A DOMINANT midfield, rock-solid defence and stunning forward set-up – six goals each to Leigh Williams and Luke Smith, and five to Jonathon Ross – ensured Southern Districts tuned up for next week’s men’s Premier League elimination final following a 27.11 (173) to 14.3 (87) victory against Darwin Buffaloes at Norbuilt Oval.

Districts skipper Dean

Staunton was pleased with the effort ahead of the finals.

“It was an ideal hit-out for us because early on we had to work hard when Buffs kicked the first three goals and the good part was, we steadied and led at quarter-time,” Staunton said. “It was a good team performance with our key forwards being on the end of some quality midfield footy including from the ‘candy man’, which is what Beau Schwarze calls himself.”

He was coy about changes for next week, saying: “Next week’s side will be determined by Cannard (coach Matt Cannard), I reckon.”

It was not an immediate Croc attack because Buffaloes dominated early possession and raced to the lead.

However, consecutive eight-goal terms elevated the Crocs to a 58-point advantage at the long break, which they extended to 86 points at the final siren.